Product Description

A groundbreaking, multi-disciplinary approach to understanding, treating, and overcoming postpartum depression.

Although more than 400,000 new mothers this year will experience some degree of Postpartum Depression--tears, anxiety, and depression--PPD remains largely misunderstood and mistreated. Indeed, most obstetricians routinely refer depressed new mothers to psychologists, a simplistic single-therapy approach that often falls short of curing the patient.

Based on the authors' research and unique, highly successful treatment approach, Conquering Postpartum Depression outlines a multidisciplinary action plan for beating PPD. Recommending a combination of group or individual talk therapy and new-parent counseling-and in some cases the safe use of antidepressants even while pregnant or breastfeeding-the authors explain the genetic factors and pre-existing conditions that can contribute to PPD. Helping PPD mothers bond with their new children, and explaining how husbands also suffer forms of postpartum depression, Conquering Postpartum Depression promises to be the book that new mothers reach to for authoritative and reassuring counsel.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #446498 in Books
• Published on: 2004-06-15
• Released on: 2004-06-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Written by a team of experts from diverse medical and mental health backgrounds, this warm volume explains the risks, diagnostic assessment tools and treatment methods for postpartum depression. The condition is fairly common-the "baby blues affects four out of five mothers, and other postpartum mood or anxiety disorders affect an additional 10-17 percent of mothers." And because postpartum depression often isn't widely discussed, the stories of real women who have suffered and recovered from it could be comforting to women currently experiencing it. Bulleted lists of everything from signs and symptoms to risk factors make this volume easy to read and digest. Quotes from women about how they didn't think it was acceptable to feel this way-"I remember thinking, this isn't right... I didn't want it and I can't even imagine that I might have it"-should also help reassure readers that they aren't alone.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
"This book [is] an inspiration to form a team that provides better care to depressed mothers." -- Journal of Human Lactation 2004

About the Author
Ronald Rosenberg, M.D., a psychiatrist and OB/GYN, is an expert on postpartum depression, psychiatric medications, and the treatment of depression in women. A member of the faculty of the Wayne State University School of Medicine, he lives in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Deborah Greening, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist who conducts group therapy with couples and families suffering from postpartum depression. She lives in Troy, Michigan. James Windell, M.A., is a psychologist who specializes in family issues and the author of several books, including 8 Weeks to a Well-Behaved Child. He lives in Royal Oak, Michigan.

Customer Reviews

Dr. Rosenberg saves lives - get proper PPD treatment!!!
As a patient of Dr Rosenberg, and a PPD survivor, this book is essential in explaining that PPD sufferers are not crazy, should not feel ashamed or embarrassed, and find hope and solace that it can be treated. Dr. Rosenberg's is an OB/GYN, Psychiatrist, and Pharmacologist in MI. His book explains (and I strongly concur) that there is help out there for PPD, and to not accept anything less than sincere concern from a doctor who specializes in PPD. A "regular psychiatrist" may not be educated enough about the hormone/chemical imbalances of PPD to properly treat this side of it. Also, locate a support group, or refer to postpartum.net (PSI) to find one in your area. There are many, many people who want to, and can help you!! This marvelous book confirms all of this, and should be required reading.

Saved My Life
Dr. Rosenberg's book helped me realize that I was not alone in my feelings of despair. I went to doctor after doctor, and told them the same things I told Dr. Rosenberg, but it appeared and was true that Dr. Rosenber was the only one who really understood.

I'm positive his multiple backgrounds help him to understand women and what they go through. This book is a 10+

Necessary for all pregnant women and potential fathers
Postpartum Depression seems to wander into the nation's limelight every couple of years due to large scale tragedies - the most recent example being that of Andrea Yates and the deaths of her children at her own hand. Based on the statistics offered by this trio of Michigan based doctors, it is surprising the topic doesn't surface with more regularity.

Nearly four of five women suffer from some sort of mood altering during and after pregnancy, on various levels. For the most part, even the women who are experiencing these mood changes view them negatively. After all, girls frequently look forward to having babies their whole lives, and why in the world would they not be excited, why would they be feeling down? Even more often, husbands, family and friends understand even less.

The problem with the women having concerns over their feelings is that they often do not let anybody know they're having them. In cases where the mood swings are slight, it leads to an unnecessary lack of pleasure with the pregnancy. In cases where full-blown cases of postpartum depression develop, the lack of discussion can lead to disaster.

Dr. Ronald Rosenberg has utilized his expertise in pharmacology, along with his position as an OB/GYN, and further studies as a psychiatrist to come up with a plan for recovery for women suffering at all different levels of this depression. His plan includes medical treatment, counseling - a field in which Dr. Greening is an expert, developing a social support system, and parent training skills, where Dr. Windell's skills come to the forefront. As the title states, this is a proven plan for recovery - with numerous examples of situations different women were in and how the plan affected their lives.

The book is written with a clean, concise style. Each chapter begins with "Points to Ponder in this Chapter," a listing of anywhere from three to ten issues that the chapter highlights. The chapters are also included in a very straightforward manner, beginning with an explanation of what postpartum depression is, moving towards how to determine if you, or a loved one, are affected, and up through the various stages of the plan to recovery.

This book thoroughly explains all aspects of postpartum depression in a manner that should make it easier for expecting mothers, and their families, to understand and accept what is happening. It is a book that all OB/GYN's should be forced to read (too many of them still don't understand postpartum depression well enough to help their own patients), and should be given to every pregnant woman, and read by her and the father of her expected child.